Automatic toilet flush



Jan.

c. H. WAY

AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSH -Filed Aug. 29 1919 wrrNEsss Patented Jan. s, 1924.

PATENT oFFlcE.

CHARLES H. WAY, or LANSING, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC 'rorLn'r FLUSH.

Application led August 2 To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. WAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county of lngham and State of Michigan, have. invented a new and useful Automatic- Toilet Flush, of which thev following is a Specification;

This invention has reference to automatic toilet iushes whereby a stream of water may be started and will continue for a definite period of'time and then automatically cut off,1thereby saving the necessity of a flush tan In accordance with Ythe invention, a service pipe is connected to the bowl to be flushed' through a valve structure containing a reciprocable plunger acting as an automatic cut-ofi1 between the service pipe and the bowl.

The valve structure contains a valve mem-v ber which may be of the rockable type, and delivering to one Side of the reciprocable valve member is a duct capable of restriction" as to the amount of low allowed through it.' Leading from the same side of the reciprocable valve member is anothervductand a manipulatable valve ermitting the escape of liquid from the si e of the reciprocable vvalve member fed from the service pipe, this manipulatable valve being of a character to slowly close and' thereby stop the valve structure from further operation. v

.The invention will be bestunderstood from a consideration of 'the following detailed description taken in connection with lthe accompanying drawing forming part of this' specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing, but. may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the 1 Figure 1.

v.casing 1 which may be appended claim.-

In the drawing u `Figure 1-is an elevation of the flush valve Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure Figure 2. 2

Referring to the drawin there is shown a int eformofacastinteriorly threaded necks 2, 3, the

3 is a section on the line 3-3 ofing with which, in the particular Showing of drawing, are arranged other withl the 'neck 2 in the longitudinal at right angles to each 9, 1919. serial No. 3720,643.

axis of the body member 1 Formed in the body member 1 is a chamber 4 extending longitudinally thereof and about midway the length of this chamber it is contracted into a smaller chamber 5, the division between the two chambers being defined by an internal shoulder 6. That end of` the chamber 5 re'- mote from the chamber 4 communicates with the neck 2 through a port 7 and' the neck 3 communicates directly with the chamber 5.- The neck 3 is-entered by a service pipe`8 and the neck 2 is entered b v ,another pipe 9 which may be consideredas leading to the bowl to be flushed.y Within the chamber 5 and extending into the chamber 4 is a plunger 10 having a head 11 at one end carryin a leather or'other packing disk 12 adapte to seat on that end of the chamber 5 opening through the ,port other end of the plunger 10 is expanded into a head 13 of suiicient extent to it snugly yet freely vin the chamber y4 and when the disk 12 is seated on the corresponding end wall of the chamber 5 the head 13 is spaced or elevated a short distance from the' shoulder ,6. The head13 is provided with an annular flange 14 fitting snugly in the mouth of the chamber 5 remote from the neck 2 and when the plunger 10 is seated with the end provided with the disk 12 closed against the corresponding end ofthe chamber 5, the head' 13 is close to Abut spaced from the shoulder 6. Through the ilange 14 there is provided a small passage 15. placing that portion ofthe chamber 4 between the head 13 and the shoulder6 into communication with the chamber 5 so that there will be lno pocketsl of water or air produced. To render the head 13 fluid-tight, it is provided with a cover plate 16, which cover plate and head have matching grooves housing a packing ring 17, the head 13 having 'a v short axial threaded stem 18 onto Awhich the pleite 16 is screwed. he end of the chamber 4 remote from the chamber 5 is closed by a plug 19 which may be in the form'of a screw plug. Extending through the side wall of the chamber 4 is a duct 20 leading from the interior of the neck 3to apoint near duct has a branch 21 opening into the chamber 4. On the exteriorly threaded nipple 22 also threaded to receive a pointed screw traversingthe duct 20 and movable toward the branch 21 so that the effective capacity nteriorly 7 into the neck 2. The,

the plug 9 where the fus lated as desired. Applied to the closed by a of the duct 20 and branch- 21 may be regunipple 22 is a screw cap 24 with a packing washer 25 whereby the nipple may be closed against leakage and the screw 23 protected against tampering or accidental misadjustment.

rllhe duct 20 may be formed in a flange or enlargement 26 along the side of the casing 1. 0n the other side of the casing 1 is another Hange or enlargement 27 through which there is produced another duct 28 l leading from the port.7 to an enlargement 29 .sleeve 32 is a valve shaft or; spindle 33 tercircumferentially .-with the duct `into the cavity 44. llt that the minating within 'the enlargement in a head 34 from which projects a tongue 35 engaging in a groove 36 in the corresponding end of the valve member 30.- A packing washer 37 is'interposed betweenv the head 34 and the corresponding end of the sleeve 32.` 'lhe shaft or' spindle 33 projects beyond the sleeve 32 and there carries a manipulating handle 38 projectingV radially therefrom, while on the side'of the spindle 33 remote from the handle 38 is an arm 39 movable between 'two spaced lugs or stops 40, 41 respectively. Leading from the chamber 4 T(t)hrough the wall of the casing 1 into the ore tering the bore of the enlargement adjacent to the duct 28. Extending diametri'ally through the valve member 30 is a duct 43 opening at one end into a cavity 44 formed in the valve member 30 and'wide enough to maintainA engagement 42 throughout theg'ange of movement of the valve member` 30 as limited by the stops 40 and 41. I

lt may be assumedY that the normal position ortho handle 38 is"that vwiththe outer or free end of the handle ,lowe`rmost, in which case the arm 39 is' in contact with the stop 40,v and the weight of the handle may be so arranged that on being/raised it will normally though sluggishly gravitate to the lowered position where it is held bythe stop Before the handle is 'raised the outlet duct 28 isclosedwith the duct 42 still open may also be assumed lunger 10 visin the lowered or closed position. New, on raising the handle, water will flow ifrom the service pi e 8 through the duets 20 and 21 into the c' ainwith the end and as 'the area ofthe of the enlargement 29 is a duct 42 eninvasor ber 4 filling the latter, and through the duct 42 into the cavity 44 and by way of the duct 43 against the walls of the enlargement 29, thus forcing the head 34 of the valve stem 33 against the packing 37 and compressing the packing ,to prevent leakage/ln this way the parts are held in non-leakable position, avoiding the use of packing glands which are very frequently troublesome. rlhe water iii/the chamber 4 pressing upon the head of the plunger 10 and water in the chamber 5 pressing upon the head llJserves to hold the packing disk 12 in firm seating engagement of the chamber 5 through which water may'i'low into the flush pipe 9.

lf, now, the handle 38 be raised to the position shown in. Figure 1 where further movement is stopped by the engagement of the arm 39 with the lug 41, the duct 42 is put into communication with the duct 28 by way of the cavity 44then bridging the two duets. -Now, the pressure of Water in the service pipe is exerted upon the under surface of the head 13 through the passage 15 head y,13 exposed to the water pressure is greater"than the area of th head 11 and as water in the chamber 4 has free outlet to the ducts 42 and 28, the superior upward pressure o the water against the head 13 causes the plunger 10 to rise, thus openin the port 7 and allowing the directl How o the service water to pass the plunger 10 rising until after the handle 28 has had time to gravitate tothe lower position or is forcibly moved to' the lower position by hand, whereupon the accumulation of water at service pressure inthe chamber 4 through the ducts 20 and 21 forces the plunger to again seat, but this seating is not rapid because of thethrottling' ofk the flow of service water through the duct 21 by the screw l23. Ultimatel lunger is seated and the water is out ed.

he speed ofclosing is readily regulated by the throttle 23 and is entirely automatic. All that is necessary in 'order to produce a flush is to raise the handle 38, after which it Iay be released with for a short but sucient time matically being cut od'.

The structure has theadvantage of small size and great simplicity ,and ,therefore cheapnessfof manufacture, with practically lno parts to get out of order, so lthat the structure is -ar less expensive than a dush tank and is readily ecient service for a long time.

That portion of the chamber 4 which is divided off by the Harige 14 forms av pocket when the dange 14 enters the chamber 5, and it thencommunicates with the chamber 5 by way of the small port 15 forming ableeding port. The result is that when the plunger 10 on its lowering movement approaches the and then autohowever, lthe installed and will give Y the ushing continuing Y rae ` cavity to the flush pipe,

i an enlargement pressure Will pass lpipe to the interior of the casing on closed position, the water trappedv between the flange 14 and the side walls of the chamber 4 acts as a retarder. not only preventing any water hammering, but so slows the closing movement of the plunger by the restriction of the escape of trapped vwater into the chamber 5 by reason of the smallness of the port 15, wherefore the plunger can only seat slowly. The diameter oft the stein ofthe plunger 10 is nearly the same as the. opening 7 consequently the plunger is nearly balanced' and the closing-movementof the plunger depends wholly upon the action of the iuid in the chamber 4. yExtending across the neck 3 where entering the cham-4 ber 5, there is a bar 3 providing a guide for the valve end of the plunger as it approaches its seat. l

What is claimed is 1. A flushing structure for toilets com`- prising a casing having a connection for a servicel pipe and a connection for a ilush pipe, a reciprocable plunger in the casing having a lnormal tendency 4to move by gravity intoposition for closing communication between the servicefand flush pipes, a duct leading from the service pipe to the interior' of the casing on that side of the plunger remote from the flush pipe, a rockable valve interposed and working in an enlargement of the easing and provided with a spanning cavity, a duct leading from said a diametric passage extendingthrough the to the opposite side of the valve, and a short duct leading from the same side of the plunger to said cavity, whereby water at service and through the said diametric passage to and against the walls o the valve body.

2. A flushing apparatus comprising a casing with a connection for a service pipe and a connection for a flush pipe, means for 'closing communication between the service and Hush pipes, a duct leading from the service that side from the flush pipe, of the casing forming a chamber, va rockable valve mounted in said enlargement, a duct leading from said enlargement to the flush pipe, a short duct leading from the casing to 'said enlargement, a plug at one end of the-enlargement, a sleeve at the other end, a spindle connected to the valye and mounted in the sleeve, a head at the inner end of the spindle, a handle for the outer end of the spindle, a packing between the sleeve and the head, a ,duct extending diametrically through the' valve, and a cavity formed on the valve at one end of the last-mentioned duct and havingsuf: icient width to make connection between the two tiret-mentioned ducts or to close communication with the duct leading to the flush pipe.

of the plunger remote valve from the cavity'.

through the short duct I ed to be normally positioned seat for closing communication diameter than the .flush pipe, a reciprocable plunger in the casing having an enlarged head operating= inthe upper chamber and a head of smaller diameter operating inthe lower chamberl adapted to normally close communication between the service and flush pipes, a ductconnecting the service pipe with the upper chamber, another" duct upper chamber to the flush pipe, a valve for closing and opening the last-named duct and provided with manipulating means exterior to the casing, an annular flange dcpending from the under side of the enlarged head with its outer cylindrical wall of a d1- ameter to neatly fit `the wall'ot` the lower chamber and forming with the underside of said head and the said annular shoulder a pocket` 'for trapping fluid, said annular ange being spaced from the Wall of the plunger.

4.l A flush structure for closets, comprising a casing, provided with an upper chamber, and a lower chamber of less diameter than the upper chamber, 'a shoulder between the two chambers, the lower chamber being in communication with a connection Jfor a service pipe and a connection for a flush pipe, a reciprocatory plunger inthe casing having an enlarged head operating inthe leading from the z upper chamber and a head of smaller diameter operating in the lower chamber,

' on said valve service andflush pipes, the upper head forming with the shoulder va pocket for trappinglluid, a restricted passage inthe head causing communication between the pocket and the lowerchamber, a duct connected to the service pipeA and to theupper chamber, another duct leading from the upper chamber to the flush pipe, a valve for closing and provided with manipulating means exterior. to the casing, the underside of the upper head through the restricted assage having a greater surface exposed to the pressure of water in. the lower chamber -from the' service pipe-than the upper side of the lower head whereby when communication is established between the upper chamber and the flush pipe the plunger will the lowerhead from its the difference in pressure be moved to raise respectiveseat by on the head.

5. A. Hush structure for closets, comprising a casing provided withv an upper cylindrical chamber, and a lower chamber of less upper chamber, a shoulbetween the adapti and opening the [last-named duet '115 y connection for aservice pipe and a connection for a Hush pipe', a reciprocatory plunger in the casing having an enlarged head operating in the upper chamber and a head `oflsi'naller diameter operating in the lower chamber adapted to normally close communication between the. service 'and Hush pipes, a ductconnected to the service pipe and to the upper chamber above the enlarged head of the plunger, another duct leading from the upper chamber above the enlarged head of the plunger to the flush pipe, a valve for closing and opening the last-named duct and provided with manipulating means exterior to the casing, an annular flange depending from the underside of the enlarged head with its outer cylindrical wall of a diameter to' neatly fit the wall of the' lower chamber and forming with the underside of said head and. the annular shoulder a pocket for trapplng fluid, a vrestricted radial-duct in the flange connecting said pocket` with the lower chamber whereby the speed of descent of the plunger is retarded when the above-named valve is opened, and whereby a greater surface of the-upper head is exposed tothe pressure of the duid from the service pipe than the lower head. Y

6. vA Hush structure for closets, comprising a casing provided with' an upper cylindrical chamber, and a lower chamber of less diameter than the upper chamber, a

shoulder between. the two chambers, the.

lower chamber being in communication with a connection for a service pipe and a connection for a nlush pipe, a reciprocatory 'a head of sma navegar plunger in the casing having an enlarged head operatin in the upper chamber and er diameter operating in the adapted to normally close between the service and lower chamber communication flush pipes, a duct connected tothe service pipe and to the upperchamber above the enlarged head of the plunger, another duct leading from the upper chamber above the enlarged` head of the plunger to the Hush pipe, a Valve for closing and opening the last-named duct and provided with manipulating means exterior to thel casing, an annular flange depending from the underside of the enlarged head with its outer cylindrical wall of a diameter to neatly lit the wall of the lower chamber V,and forming with the underside of said head and the annular` shoulder a pocket for trapping fluid, a restricted radial duct in the langeconnecting said pocket with the lower chamber whereby thespeed of descent of theplunger is retarded when the opened, and whereby a greater surface of the upper head is exposed to the pressure of the'Huid from the service pipe than the lower head, the plunger being formed on a erl above-named Valve is smaller diameter than the lower chamber for spacing rthe outer wall of the plunger from the inner wall of the lower chamber with the annular Harige spaced from the wall of the plunger.4

lln testimony, that ll claim the foregoing as my own, ll have hereto ahxed my signature.

CHARLES H. WAYD Witnesses:

Hnnennr A. Snuarrnn, Gro. Prem'. 

